|
7/8 |
2005/4/18-20 [Computer/SW/Editors, Computer/SW/OS/OsX] UID:37250 Activity:nil |
4/18 I'm thinking about getting a TV Tuner/Video input card for my Mac, specifically this one (AlchemyDVR ~ $120): http://miglia.com/products/video/alchemytvdvr/index.html Does anyone have experience w/ this card (or alternatives)? I'm mostly looking to convert VHS/8mm tapes into DVDs. \_ If you want to make DVDs, then you eventually have to encode to mpeg-2. The original instructions, as I recall, recommended that you either capture in mpeg-4 or MJPEG. MJPEG takes huge amounts of disk space. I have the alchemy, but I also have the eyetv200. The eyetv has better software, encodes using mpeg-2, and the built-in editor is pretty good. EyeTV also works well with toast and popcorn since the founder of roxio also founded the eyetv company. The alchemytv is pretty decent for the bucks, but if you have the bucks, the eyetv is way better. \_ So my plan was to play the tape and then use iMovie to capture and edit the video and then use iDVD to burn a DVD. Is the software that comes w/ EyeTV better/easier than this solution? \_ I haven't used those programs to do what you are trying to do. However, I was under the impression that Apple's tools work with DV. If that's correct, then DV takes up a lot of space which is one thing to consider. I did hear that the iMovie editor is kinda nice. It may be better than the eyetv editor, especially if you can cut to an individual frame, and do final cut pro style edits. The nice thing about importing directly into eyetv is that the file is in mpeg-2 (smaller file sizes), and the quality presets are pretty good (highest quality is about 3GB per hour, standard about 2GB per hour, etc.). You will probably have nicer DVDs using iDVD (nice themes, compared to toasting them). I've been using eyetv to import videos, cut with FCP, and then using DVDSP3 to build a DVD on the hard drive. Then use popcorn to burn the disk if I go over 4.39GB. \_ I think you are right re Apple's tools and DV however I'm not that worried about disk space b/c I have a 250 gb drive w/ 100 gb free and I'm going to pick up another one when fry's has them on sale. I'll think about the eyeTV but for what I'm trying to do I'm not sure the extra $100 or more is really worth it. Thanks. |
7/8 |
|
miglia.com/products/video/alchemytvdvr/index.html Watch and record TV on your PowerMac with AlchemyTV DVR! Schedule your recordings in a few easy steps with TitanTV or iCal, store them on your hard drive or burn them to VCD or DVD. Thanks to its tight integration with QuickTime, AlchemyTV DVR gives you a full range of capt ure options, including real-time MPEG-4 recording! AlchemyTV DVR delivers a clean and sharp picture, ideal for full size TV viewing and video capture. Best of all, DVR is supplied complete with remote control for maximum vie wing pleasure! Full screen viewing and capture mode Watch TV in window mode or full screen on your PowerMac Fast PowerMacs c an even capture to your hard drive in full size, full motion. Scheduled recording functionality and iCal integration AlchemyTV DVRs software allows to schedule recordings days or weeks in a dvance. Includes infrared remote control For maximum viewing ease, AlchemyTV DVR includes an IR remote. Thanks to its open plug-in architecture, you can expand DVR via third par ty software. Master and burn DVDs, schedule recordings via e-mail and mo re! Features Composite and S-Video inputs You can capture from any analog device using the composite or S-Video con nectors. Using its scheduled recording functionality, AlchemyTV DVR can schedule a s many recordings as you wish. are all fully configurable, giving an extensive control over your recor dings. The capture size is fully user selectable, ranging from quarter s ize to full screen mode, depending on the speed of your processor. Thanks to its iCal integration, scheduled recordings will be displayed in your calendar. Advanced users can even program their recordings in iCal ! AlchemyTV DVR proudly integrates Decisionmark's TitanTV EPG (Electronic P rogram Guide) directly into the program. Decisionmark is the leading onl ine EPG technology provider in the USA, offering you the most complete g uide to what is on TV at your particular location. Decisionmark's TitanT V EPG makes it easy to find your favorite shows and schedule them for re cording or viewing with a single click. The composite, S-Video, Stereo audio IN connectors allow you to capture f rom virtually any analogue video source, like a VCR, DVD player, camcord er or straight from your TV aerial of course. Simply select the connection type you wish to capture from with the Alche my TV DVR software and press record! The inputs of AlchemyTV DVR can be used by many third-party applications. You can use your TV card with iMovie, QuickTime Broadcaster, BTV, NiceC ast and many more! QuickTime Broadcaster Want to do more than just watching TV? Hows about streaming TV over the internet or setting up a video surveillance system? A wide range of appl ications for the AlchemyTV DVR card are possible! AlchemyTV DVR includes an infrared remote control that allows you to watc h TV and change stations without sitting at your keyboard. Launching the TV application, adjusting the volume, switching a channel can all be do ne with the remote control! The remote control software even works with most of your other applicatio ns installed on your Mac Setting up the key mappings is an easy process and will only take a few minutes. Control iTunes, DVD player, PowerPoin t and many other applications with a simple click on the remote control s buttons! |